Her Mother Wanted A Son. Now This 6-Year-Old Is The Face Of Punjab's Education Dept Campaigns

Jashneet Kaur, dressed in her school uniform is now driving almost all of the Punjab education department’s activities, virtual and television campaigns these days. The six-year-old is the face of Each One, Bring One (enrolment drive for government schools), Ghar Baithe Sikhsha (online education), Library Langar, Mission Shat Pratishat, among other campaigns, for the past three years in Punjab.

Jashneet Kaur is Punjab state education department’s brand ambassador. She has featured in television campaigns, newspaper advertisements, social media publicity material and even on WhatsApp display pictures of officers.

Born and raised in a rural household of Punjab, Jashneet's father, Jagjit Singh, works in a small-time factory, and her mother, Sukhdeep, is a homemaker. The only child of her parents, her father earns a mere Rs 7,000 per month working in a thread factory. The family also owns a small land which they have given out for contractual farming. Sukhdeep, who herself has studied only till Class 12, has admitted Jashneet to a government school in 2017 in Wara Bhai Ka village of Faridkot district. She is now in Class 2.

Jashneet’s mother revealed that she had wished a son as her first-born child but she was blessed with a daughter instead. She told The Indian Express that initially, she would feel very bad that she did not have a son. "It was a terrible feeling," she confessed, but today, her daughter has made the family proud, she said. Sukhdeep added that even a son couldn't have possibly brought so much pride. "I was so wrong,” she said.

However, Sukhdeep went on to clarify that her family didn't ever share her sentiments when it came to the birth if her daughter. “Jashneet’s father, paternal grandfather, and grandmother were very happy when she was born. They never complained or differentiated between a son and a daughter." Sukhdeep said her grandfather even distributed her Lohri which is done usually after a son’s birth. "I had some regrets initially after her birth, but today, when I see my daughter’s face in newspapers, on TV screens, and on social media, I feel so very proud," she said.

Sukhdeep has now grown out of her initial feelings and is now very proud of her daughter. "When teachers say that my daughter is a very bright student, takes part in all activities, and is always very active, I realise that she has made us more proud than a son could ever have, that too at this young age.” Earlier, the parents even thought of having a second child but now they are absolutely sure they do not want that. "Jine naam roshan karna hai, kar hi dena hai, munda hove ja kudi (If a child has to make you proud, he/she will, doesn’t matter if it is a son or a daughter,” said Sukhdeep.

Meanwhile, Jashneet, who enjoys studying maths, says she felt really happy seeing her photos everywhere.

Feature Image Credit: The Indian Express